Notes on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 17
The xvii. PSALM.
David (probably when he was in the cave encompassed by Saul) makes his prayer and appeal to God, impartially pleading his innocency against his enemies. Further testifies, that in conscience to God he durst never do as he was done by, nor praies he never may, but commits his matter over to God in prayer, to be righted by him, and delivered from the violence of his proud outragious enemies in his extream straights. And again presseth hard upon the Lord to shew himself for him against them that have no interest in his special and saving favour, (onelyonly share in his common mercies) which he hath, and prizeth as an happiness above all,
Psalm 17. A prayer of David.A Psalm of David in way of prayer.
1Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer that goeth not out of feigned lips.1 THou that art a righteous God, hear the prayer of the righteous and innocent person, heed my humble and vehement supplication, let my prayer have audience, which speaks nothing but truth of my self and enemies.
2Let my sentence come forth from thy presence: let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.2 Judge thou my cause against mine adversaries by clearing mine innocency, behold the wrong I sustain, and by thy just judgements do me right upon them according to my righteousness.
3Thou hast proved mine heart, thou hast vi…ited me in the night, thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing. I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgre….3 Mine integrity is not unknown to thee, for thou hast searched mine heart as well as seen mine actions, thou hast put me upon the scrutiny and discovery of my self in my most retired thoughts; yea, in thought, word, and deed, hast thou tried me; and sifted me through great and many afflictions, and neither hast, nor shalt find unrighteousness in me; for I am (by thy blessed assistance) fully purposed, as to think, so, to speak the truth in all uprightness, and not to seek mine advantage by lying and dissembling as do mine enemies.
4Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips, I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.4 Concerning the wrongs they have done me, I have been careful for all their unjust provocations to walk by the rule of thy word, not rendring evil for evil, nor requiting their injurious cruelty with the like, though it lay in my power.
5Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.5 And so Lord inable me ever to do, to walk after thy word, that I may never erre from thy truth, nor by sinning forfeit my well doing, and good success in the end, which by thy promise in the way of obedience I am sure of.
6I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, & hear my speech.6 I have made thee my confidence, and ever addressed me to thee, for I know and believe according to thy promise thou wilt hear and do for me; now Lord is a fit time and a needful, I pray thee therefore withdraw not thy self, but be intreated to take notice of me, and to hear mine instant prayer.
7 Shew thy love to me in marvellously delivering me,7Shew thy marvellous loving kindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand, them which put their trust in thee, from those that rise up against them. and fulfilling the wonderful things thou hast promised me; O Lord, that usest to imploy thy power for their preservation that trust in thee, for deliverance from them that unjustly oppress them.
8 Do thou Lord watch carefully over me that am dear to thee,8Keep me as the apple of the eye: hide me under the shadow of thy wings. and in tender compassion preserve thy weak and innocent one.
9 From them that unjustly seek my ruine,9From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about. and pursue me to the death with mighty ods of power and strength.
10 They bear themselves high in confidence of their own greatness and power,10They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly. wallowing in abundance, and give out great swelling words in disdain and contempt of me an abject.
11 They have hunted me and my small company from place to place,11They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth: and have now overtaken and begirt us round, using all diligence to find us out wheresoever we hide our selves, that they may destroy us.
12 Greedily,12Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. lion-like gaping after us to prey upon us, and either by strength or policy utterly to ruine us.
13 Consider my strait O Lord and step into my rescue,13Arise, O Lord, disappoint him, cast him down; deliver my soul from the wicked, which is (or, as in the margin, by) thy sword. defeat his purpose and disable his power, save my life now endangered by my wicked enemies, and destroy them that would destroy me, by thy might and in thy justice.
14 Save me from men which though they are too14From men which are (or, as in the margin, by) thine hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasur…: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. hard for me, are not able to stand under thy hand O Lord God of power; yea, from such men as care never to see thy face in heaven, nor shall they, on whom thou liberally bestowest temporal favours (for thats all they are to have from thee) as the fat and sweet of the earth, and store of children, to whom they leave store of wealth, and thats all they care for.
15As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.15 But Lord this is not my care, nor herein consists not my happiness, but in this, that I can appeal to thee, in the faith of thy grace, and the sense of mine own innocency. This is my care and comfort at present, and I am sure for future I shall be happy when they are miserable, at the day of the resurrection of all flesh, when I shall appear acceptable to thee, clothed in thine Image of holiness and righteousness, which they shall not; and so be received into life and immortality, when they shall be rejected.